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Heartless owners leave escaped dog at shelter, adopt new puppy

The story of a rescue dog that was left at an animal shelter because her family said she “wasn’t a happy dog anymore,” is melting hearts around the world.

Desi Lara, a volunteer at the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control shared Zuzu’s story after she caught the heartbreaking scene of the dog recognizing her owners - who then walked away from her - on video.

“With her fast wagging tail seeing her owners Zuzu lite (sic) up like a Christmas Tree,” Lara wrote on her Facebook page. “She looked like the happiest dog. Yeah, she’s going home. But No. Talking to her owners they told me they were not here to reclaim her, they were getting another dog... Their reason was because she was crying and sad since her father passed away. She wasn’t a happy dog anymore. Their solutions for her unhappiness was just leaving her here! And go get another dog.”

According to the New York Post, Zuzu jumped a fence to the neighbour’s yard and was thought to be a stray so she was taken to the shelter. When Zuzu’s owners arrived, staff thought they’d reclaim her but that wasn’t the case.

People on Facebook have reacted harshly to the family’s actions, many of posters suggesting they shouldn’t be allowed to adopt a pet again.

One woman said: “They do not deserve her! Not worthy of her loyalty,” while another poster added, “ There should be a law against dropping of a dog just to get another!!! How heartless!!!!”

Since Lara posted her video, it’s been viewed more than 363,000 times, although Lara admits she’s not sure why it went viral, she told Buzzfeed.

“We get so many wonderful dogs and we get so many backstories, good and bad,” said Lara. “It surprises me which thread takes off and the others don’t.”

Thankfully, the social media buzz did land Zuzu a new home: she’s being taken in by an “exceptional” rescue organization said Lara.

“(I was) honestly sad but glad,” she said. “I knew the rescues who come to (the shelter) would find her a good home where she would be a family member.”